Stanford Decides to Maintain Legacy Admissions and Reintroduce Test Requirements
Stanford University has confirmed its admissions policy for fall 2026 that will continue to prioritize legacy status. This decision is poised to influence access to a prominent talent pipeline within Silicon Valley. Furthermore, Stanford is reinstating its requirement for SAT or ACT scores, a necessity not imposed since 2021.
Despite new legislation in California banning legacy admissions, Stanford remains committed to these preferences. The university has chosen to withdraw from the state’s Cal Grant program, foregoing state financial aid, in defiance of Assembly Bill 1780 signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Stanford promises to replace the funding with its resources.
The impact of this decision stretches across beyond Palo Alto, as Stanford has been a breeding ground for influential tech leaders, including the founders of Google, Nvidia, Snap, and Netflix. Maintaining legacy admissions ostensibly affords an advantage to children of Silicon Valley's elites, offering access to networks fueling tech booms.
The reintroduction of test score requirements, meanwhile, adds complexity, possibly favoring students with greater access to preparatory resources. Critics argue this reimposition of standardized testing furthers inequities, contradicting the meritocratic ideals upheld by the tech industry.
Considerations of legacy status were detailed in recently released admissions criteria, reversing a prior 2021 decision to eliminate standardized test requirements. Financial sustainability is also a vital factor as alumni support remains crucial. Stanford relies majorly on donations, either directed towards current operations through the Stanford Fund or as gifts to its significant endowment managed by the Stanford Management Company.
Externally, universities like Stanford face financial pressures due to new federal policies. The Trump administration's increase in endowment taxes, raised from 1.4% to 8%, notably contributes to economic challenges. This change alone is projected to cost Stanford an estimated $750 million annually.
